Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 29,769, Nathaniel Dunbar, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Dunbar, Nathaniel
8 29.769
CONTENTS

24 54 Massachusetts Nathaniel Dunbar
Bristol in the State of Mass he was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Howard of the Regt. commanded by Col. Bailey in the Mass line for Ohio.
Enscribed on the Roll of Mass. Hs. the rate of 20 Dollars ————— Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Sep. 1833 ————— and to J. Basset Tarenton
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $ 50 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 M. 34 10 $ 60
Revolutionary Claim, Rpt June 7. 1832. J. B. Stiles Clerk.
Recorded by book E.
Vol. 2. Page 8,

10 271.
Nathl Dunbar
11. 12. 15 ob
May 6 1833
P. 3791
Plant 6 Months
A Bapst E.
Sturton Mass

10.271
BRIEF in the case of Nathaniel Dunbar of Bristol Co. in the State of Mass (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 68 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.      about 20 July In 1780  Discharged 20 June 1780  6 Private  Gen. Larned Brigaded  Colr Bailey's Regt.  Capt. A. Howard Co.   
Mass 5. Cont'd enlisted
 5. In what battles was he engaged? no battle  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? at Easton Bristol Co. Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? no evidence accompanies this claim  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
Correct
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
E. Stephens
Examining Clerk.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol
On this thirty first day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at Dighton in & for the said County of Bristol By Capt. Nathaniel Dunbar a resident of the town of Bristol in the County & Commonwealth aforesaid aged sixty eight years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - that he Enlisted in the army  enlisted in the army of the United States under the following Officers and served as herein stated; that he enlisted at Easton in the County of Bristol aforesaid on or about the 20 th July 1780. that from said Easton he was ordered to proceed to Springfield, where he joined a company under a continental Officer (whose name he does not recollect) and Marched to West Point where he was enrolled in the company commanded by Capt. Oliver Howard who belonged to Bridgewater in said Massachusetts; the other commissioned officers of the company he does not re- collect. The orderly sergeant's name was Simon Howard of said Bridgewater one Mitchell a corporal - Wm Forbes Drummer

Phineas Manning, Difer; and of all the pri- vates he can recollect one Gaphet Keith two by the name of Lowening, and one by the name of Parker - that from West Point he marched with the army to New- Jersey, and encamped at Hackinsack; afterward at Backak, and then at Orangetown, where he was present at the Execution of Major Andrè - From there the Army marched towards Philadelphia and encamped at a place called Red Bank. After remaining at this last Place a short time, the Army returned to West Point and went into winter quarters; that during the term of his service he was no in engagement or battle and that he was discharged on the 20th of January 1781; having served six months, the full term for which he enlisted, - That he had a written discharge but the name of the Officer who signed the same he has forgotten - That he gave said discharge to one Randall to get for him his pay, but he never has seen it since, nor has he received any pay for his services, nor does he know what has become of said discharge. He further states that he does not know of one person living who was personally knowing to his serving in the Army as aforesaid. He states also that his company ranked the 3 d in the regiment, Capt Driess being the 1 st and Capt Lloyd the 2 d .

That he belonged to Colo  Beileys  Regiment and General Lane  Brigade . He remembers two regiments commanded by two Colos by the name of Jackson . He further declares that he was born in Bridgewater aforesaid, where the time of his birth is recorded, which was on the 14 th of March, 1764. That since leaving the Army he has re- sided in Catskill and other places in the State of New York for most part of the time till within the last eighteen years during which time he has resided in said town of Gray . And that among his neighbors and ac- quaintances, who would testify in their belief of the truth of this his declaration he will name Nath  P.  Borden , Micah H.  Briggs , Benjamin  W.  Chase , Daniel  Bur- ginton , Caleb  Vibury , John  S.  Cotton , John  Southwick & Cyprus  Alden —
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State. Robert Dreyer
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
H. T. Baylies , Judge of Probate
And the said Court hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
H. T. Baylies , Judge of Probate
Adams  Bassett Register of the Court of Probate aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court aforesaid in the matter of the application

of Nathaniel Dunbar for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office. the day & year first above written —
Amos Basset
Nathaniel Dunbar
10. 271

29769 Rev INVALID.  Rev
File No. 29,769
Nathaniel Dunbar
Li Rev Rev
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 116
[Arrangement of 1870.]

10271
Nath. Sunbar
Bristol Co.
Mass.

10.271
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Nathaniel Dunbar — which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? — no XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? — none XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? — no XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? none produced If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. † Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? — 1 st & 2 nd not answered
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ———— year ———— months, and ———— days, I served as a ———— ; For ———— months and ———— days, I served as a ———— ; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Fall River July 2 d 1883
A. Babbitt Esq r
Sir, I write you at the request of Mr. N. Dunbar in referance to your letter to him. I draw his declarations & application, and so far as I understand the law on perjury it is substantially sufficient. The state where he entitled to wit Easton, which is the same as to say his residence was there, that he knew of no person living who was knowing to his service, or etc. You state that Rev. Mr. Branson's affidavit is insufficient as it does not state his acquaintance with Dunbar. He could not for he had never spoken to him before neither is there any clergyman in the town that ever did speak to him, for although Dunbar has resided here 20 years, there is no clergyman that has resided here but about one year & Dunbar is too infirm to attend meeting. You state also that Branson does not say he concurs with the other witnesses. He certifies he believes Dunbar's statements true & so do the others; this appears to me this is the strongest concurrence that could be made. The reason why these certificates were not made at first was it was believed that his name was

was returned to the War Department in which case they were considered unnecessary. I presume the Committee on pensions never examined the returns in reference to Durkee's case - If Sir, after looking at the papers again, you are still of opinion, any alterations or additions are necessary; or that the whole better be taken into a new draft; please to return papers to me by the Fall River Stage driver with the alterations necessary. It is desirable to forward the business as fast as possible. I intended to have been present when the Court P. sat here & retained the papers for that purpose but was prevented by being detained from home. Respectfully yours, L. Eastman
A. Bassett Esq.
Garriton
Co. D. Mass.

I do hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of the original now on file in my office and of the whole thereof. Given under my hand and the seal of said Court this 13th day of May 1833.
Bristol ss May 13 1833. Then the above named Asa Bronson appeared before me and made oath that the above affidavit by him submitted is true and I certify that the said Bronson is a clergyman of the Gospel of respectable standing. Joseph Gearing Justice of the Peace
I John S. Cotton of Gray in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify and say that I have been acquainted with Nathaniel Dyer an applicant for a pension under the Act of June 7th 1832 for a number of years; and believe from his appearance that he is nearly seventy years of age. That I know that in the opinion of his acquaintances in the neighborhood that he served as a private in the revolution war; that I have examined his written application for a pension to which this is annexed, and believe the same to be true. John S. Cotton
Bristol ss May 13 1833. Then the above named John S. Cotton appeared before me and made oath that the above deposition by him submitted is true and I certify that the deponent is a credible & impartial witness. Joseph Gearing Justice of the Peace
I Caleb H. Hichy of Gray in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify and say that I am acquainted with Nathaniel Dyer an applicant for a pension for revolutionary services under the Act of June 7th 1832 that it is my opinion he is nearly or quite seventy years of age, that I have examined his application under oath for a pension, and that I believe the

same to be true in all its particulars. I also state that this is the general belief in the neighborhood where he lives among his acquaintances so far as I am acquainted - and I hereby certify that said William ... is a true and correct
Caleb B. Vickery
Bristol R. May 13 1813 Then the above named William appeared before me and made oath that the above dep- osition by him subscribed is true and I hereby certify that said William is a credible & disinterested witness - Joseph Gooding Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
Bristol ss. I Amos Barrett Register of the Court of Probate in for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Joseph Gooding is a Justice of the Peace in for said County and that the signature to the above certificate is his and that the same is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand to the seal of said Court this eighteenth day of July Eighteen hundred thirty three Amos Barrett

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Dunbar, Nehemiah GRADE Private LINE Massachusetts
WARRANT NUMBER 4008 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED June 1, 1792 to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.